Macon & Western Picket Post

[Lewis Robinson]

Macon & Western Picket Post

When: August 2nd-4th, 2013
Where: West Point, Georgia on small 150 acre private farm with minimal modern interferences.
Event Portrayal: The event will portray Confederate and Union pickets and skirmishing prior to the Battle of Jonesborough and the fall of Atlanta.
Unit Portrayals:

• US - 66th Illinois Volunteer Regiment (Western Sharpshooters)
• CS - 1st Georgia Sharpshooters

Guidelines: Forthcoming
Authenticity: Guidelines will be strictly enforced, so any issues should be addressed prior to arrival at the event (loaner gear, medical needs, etc). First person will be strongly encouraged, but not mandatory and anachronistic speech or conversations will not be tolerated.
Event Details: The event will include period appropriate rations, 2-3 mile marching, picket duty, natural water sources, and light skirmishing.
Commanders:

• US - Sean Cooper, Mossy Creek Mess/SCAR
• CS - Dylan Woodliff, Armory Guards

Contact: Lewis Robinson - robinslmusgrove at gmail.com
Registration: See attached form

Mod Note: Approved by Jim K and Herb C.

[Lewis Robinson]

Re: Macon & Western Picket Post

Federal Guidelines: 66th Illinois Volunteer Regiment (Western Sharpshooters)

• Coat:
  • Fatigue Blouse
  • SA Jacket
  • Enlisted Frock
• Trousers:
  • Sky Blue Contract Trousers
  • Dark Blue Contract Trousers
• Shirts:
  • Wool Flannel Contract Variant (Gray, Blue, Red, or Tan)
  • Domet Flannel Issue
  • Civilian
• Shoes:
  • Jefferson Bootees
  • Enlisted Boots
  • Civilian shoes (i.e. Canvas camp shoes or low quarter)
• Headgear:
  • Hardee
  • Black Slouch
  • Forage Cap
• Undergarments:
  • Drawers and socks of proper period construction
• Accoutrements:
  • Federal Issue Cartridge Box, Belts, & Cap Pouch (preferably .58 cal)
• Knapsacks:
  • Double Bag
  • Blanket/Hobo Roll
• Blankets:
  • Federal Issue Brown/Grey
  • Civilian
• Tentage/Ground Cover
  • Shelter Half
  • Gum Blanket
• Haversack:
  • Federal Issue Tarred
  • White Cotton Duck Issue
• Canteen:
  • Federal Issue (preferably with cotton or linen strap and canteen attached with string/cord)
• Fire Arms:
  • 55 or 61 Springfield
  • Henry Repeating Rifle
  • Spencer Rifle (preferably the rifle, but carbine is acceptable)
  • Enfield
  • 42 Springfield

[Lewis Robinson]

Re: Macon & Western Picket Post

Confederate Guidelines: 1st Georgia Sharpshooters

• Jacket:
  • Deep South Depot Jacket (Columbus, Atlanta, North Carolina, Milledgeville/Augusta, or Mobile)
  • Generic shell or Frock Coat
  • Civilian Coat
• Trousers:
  • Confederate Issue
  • Civilian Trousers
• Shirts:
  • Confederate Issue
  • Civilian
• Shoes:
  • Confederate issue
  • English shoes
  • Civilian shoes
• Headgear:
  • Civilian Slouch
  • Jean Kepi
  • Hardee Hat
  • Straw Hat
• Undergarments:
  • Drawers and socks of proper period construction
• Cartridge Box, Belts, & Cap Pouch: (2/3 with bayonets)
  • Confederate Issue (preferably .58 cal of a deep south arsenal)
  • English Import
• Knapsack: (preferably majority with knapsacks)
  • Confederate issue
  • English import
  • Federal Double Bag
  • Blanket Roll
• Blankets:
  • Civilian
  • Confederate issue
  • English Import
  • Federal blankets (limited)
• Tentage/Ground Cover:
  • Painted Canvas
  • Tent fly
  • Federal Rubber Blanket
• Haversack:
  • Confederate Cotton or Tarred
  • Federal Issue Haversack
• Canteen:
  • Wooden
  • Tin Drum
  • Federal Issue
• Fire Arms:
  • .58 Enfield (model 1853 or 1858)
  • .54 Lorenz
  • Whitworth rifle
  • Mississippi
  • .69 Muskets (conversions or '42 Springfield)
  • .58 Springfield's '55 or '61
  • .70 Belgian

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Macon & Western Picket Post

This is going to be a blast! So lets get those registrations in for the 66th Ill. Company.

[dixieflyer]

Re: Macon & Western Picket Post

I'm tempted. I haven't gotten to field my Federal impression in forever. I wouldn't get there until late Friday night though, and I'll have to see how work is turning out then.

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Macon & Western Picket Post

Warren, this would be a perfect opportunity to use it again.

[coastaltrash]

Re: Macon & Western Picket Post

Anyone from Nashville want to carpool down?

[dixieflyer]

Re: Macon & Western Picket Post

Depending on work, etc. I may try to ride down with you.

[littledirtyshirt]

Re: Macon & Western Picket Post

If I go, it'll be Confederate. Would a .72 potsdam be acceptable?

[GenuineInformation]

Re: Macon & Western Picket Post

Do you not have access to an Enfield, Lorenz, or '55, '61, or '63 Springfield?

Per "Our Connection With Savannah," the 1st Georgia SS Bn. was equipped with long Enfields in October of 1862 (Brown, Russel K., pp. 26-7). Even two years later, these should predominate.

The Sharpshooter Act of 1862, passed by the Confederate Congress, provided, in part

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the Secretary of War may secure to be organized a battalion of sharpshooters for each brigade, consisting of not less than three nor more than six companies, to be composed of men selected from the brigade or otherwise, and armed with long-range muskets or rifles, said companies to be organized, and the commissioned officers therefore appointed by the President, by and with the advice, and consent of the Senate. Such battalions shall constitute parts of the brigades to which they belong, and shall have such field and staff officers as are authorized by law for similar battalions, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Sec 2. Be it further enacted, that for the purposes of arming the said battalions, the long-range muskets and rifles in the hands of the troops, may be taken for that purpose: Provided, the Government has not at its command a suffiecient number of approved long range rifles or muskets wherewith to arm said corps.
II. Gen.'s commanding military departments may cause to be organized within their commands battalions of sharpshooters, as provided in this act, in such numbers as they may deem necessary, not exceeding one such battalion for each brigade, and will report to the department the organization for such corps, recommending for appointment the commissioned officers allowed by law

III. In Organizing such battalions generals commanding may cause such details or transfers to be made as will not reduce any company or corps below the minimum number required by law, taking the men for each such battalion so far as possible from the particular brigade of which it is to form a part.

IV. Requisitions will be made up on the Ordnance Department for the arms for such battalions, and untill the said requisitions can be filled, the generals commanding may cause such exchanges and transfers of long range muskets and rifles to be made as may be necessary to arm the said battalions, returning surplus arms when such requisitions are filled to the Ordnance Department.
(emboldening mine).

[GenuineInformation]

Re: Macon & Western Picket Post

Guys, I know Gettysburg is looming this week...but whilst navigating Canvas City, imagine shaking out a skirmish line from here to a place other than the hotdog stand. And get your registrations in!

[24thVOL]

Re: Macon & Western Picket Post

Very tempting

[D.W. Scalf]

Re: Macon & Western Picket Post

Oh man....you're killing me. This is basically my home town, and I'm stuck down here in Australia and won't be back till '14. I guess I better start playing the lottery....

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Macon & Western Picket Post

Still on the fence for this one. It requires me to get an excusal from August Air Guard drill. But that month, I THINK I am scheduled for a PT test. It could be July for the test, but so far no one has got back with me from the unit regarding said PT test. Will keep you posted.

[GenuineInformation]

Re: Macon & Western Picket Post

Anybody who plans to attend should review skirmish drill and the outpost manual.

Skirmish Drill: http://www.zipcon.net/~silas/Drill/SkirmishBooklet.htm

Outpost Manual: http://www.zipcon.net/~silas/Drill/guidespickets.htm

P.S.-John, I hope you can attend.